Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA)

(MISA/IFEX) – According to MISA, two journalists working for the opposition “Daily Times” have been subpoenaed to testify for the state against Malawi Congress Party (MCP) Member of Parliament for Lilongwe South-East, Hetherwick Ntaba, in a case in which Ntaba is being prosecuted for calling Malawi’s President, Bakili Muluzi, “silly.” The journalists, Mabvoto Banda and […]

(MISA/IFEX) – The privately owned “Post” newspaper reported in its 12 May 1998 edition that its editor-in-chief, Fred M’membe, has brought a lawsuit against Francis Ndhlovu, the Inspector General of the Zambian police, for illegal phone tapping. According to the newspaper, M’membe wants the courts to declare that Ndhlovu should be prosecuted for his actions. […]

(MISA/IFEX) – One of Malawi’s major donors, the European Union (EU), has expressed concern over delays to enact the draft Communications Bill, as well as other bills considered crucial for the development of democracy. The EU is especially concerned that President Bakili Muluzi’s government, which was swept to power in May 1994 – after promising […]

(MISA/IFEX) – An Anglican priest has been demanding that the Lingadzi Police, in the capital city of Lilongwe, arrest Charles Masapi, a freelance journalist and correspondent with the “Daily Times.” According to MISA, the priest’s request is attributed to an article by Masapi, which appeared in the 20 April 1998 issue of the “Daily Times” […]

(MISA/IFEX) – Malawi’s weekly newspaper, “The New Vision”, reported on 9 May 1998, that police intend to sue the opposition “Daily Times” for publishing what “The New Vision” termed “unfounded, inaccurate, misleading and distorted” stories about the police. In its front-page story, “The New Vision” said the police will soon engage a private lawyer to […]

(MISA/IFEX) – According to MISA, the Malawi government recently issued two radio licenses to new applicants, bringing to three the number of radio licenses issued to private operators during the past five months. This is despite the tabling of a Bill in Parliament next month which could see the introduction of an independent regulatory licensing […]

(MISA/IFEX) – According to MISA, state-owned “Zambia Daily Mail” reporter Joy Sata is facing disciplinary action for exposing and condemning the newspaper’s editorial practices of censoring stories critical of government. She made the comments on a television programme. Sata is apparently out of the country for several weeks and could not be reached for comment. […]

(MISA/IFEX) – According to MISA, on 14 April 1998, a cameraman for the Namibian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) was assaulted by a local businessman while filming a group of managers who were being interviewed about an industrial strike in Windhoek (the capital city). Cameraman Hadley Mwashekeleh was punched in the face and his spectacles were broken […]